National Night Out registration deadline approaching

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) - On August 3, Chesterfield police want neighbors to lock their doors, flip on their porch lights and congregate in the streets.

The mission of National Night Out is to unite communities in the fight against crime. All police need now are for neighborhoods to register.

Today, it's a celebration for the swim team. August 3, the Brighton Green neighborhood will celebrate National Night Out. Priscilla Fitzpatrick sees it as a learning lesson for her daughters.

"To be more alert and aware of where they are and their surroundings- who they're looking at, who they're talking to," said Fitzpatrick.

Chesterfield is one of thousands of communities nationwide that participate in National Night Out. In it's 27th year the program heightens crime and drug prevention, generates support between people and police and sends a message to criminals to stay away.

Living in the county for six years, Jennifer Laruffa can say "being in the know" helps to combat crime.

"We've had minor vandalism and within a few weeks we found out through talking to neighbors who did it," Laruffa said. She and police encourage everyone to register.

Signing up is as simply as filling out this form. A neighborhood contact is needed along with information for the block party. You can even indicate if you'd like police mascot McGruff to make an appearance.

If you need one more motivation: listen to Priscilla- she's in love with her neighborhood, but knows you can never be too careful.

"Listen, some of the nicest neighborhoods get hit with crimes. So yeah, definitely. That's important. It doesn't matter where you live."

The deadline to register in Chesterfield is July 16; in Henrico is July 9; in Richmond is July 23.